Valve leaking oil!

[wildcatloe]

Oil leaking from this side only and that nut is nice and tight along with oil cap

Suggustions?

[RyanD]

Replace your valve cover gasket

[deevergote]

That's not a valve, just you valve cover. A full gasket set is like $30. Replace that, and replace your spark plug tube seals while you're at it (I believe at least the upper seals come in that kit.)

[wildcatloe]

That's not a valve, just you valve cover. A full gasket set is like $30. Replace that, and replace your spark plug tube seals while you're at it (I believe at least the upper seals come in that kit.)

is this something that i have to take care urgently? or ill be okay for a few weeks untill money comes in

[deevergote]

You'll be ok. Just keep an eye on your oil level to be sure it doesn't get too low. If oil is leaking onto any belts, plan on replacing them. Oil on the belts will weaken them considerably, and they could snap unexpectedly. If the alternator belt snaps, you'll drain your battery to nothing before you drive a mile... and then you'll be buying a new battery too!
When you pull the cover, inspect the timing belt. If it has oil on it, change it. If that snaps, you're buying a new engine.

[Leung]

if you've got a Pepboys near you, a Felpro VC gasket kit that has the upper tube seals and two new rubber paddings for the acorn nuts is only like 23 bucks. I replaced one for my friend's '97 Civic like two months ago and recall him only paying about that much for that kit.

Replacing that gasket is really easy although i'd like to recommend doing it at the same time as an oil change.

[illinois_erik]

itd be a good time to do the valve lash while youre in there too =)

[marks626]

is this something that i have to take care urgently? or ill be okay for a few weeks untill money comes in

i would change it asap! cuz i had the same problem kinda ignore it due to no money in the pockets. Now i got to change the seals and both belts. And not mention the belts were just change last year!

[wildcatloe]

Ended up buying these a few days ago

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261002113983...ht_2864wt_1166

[Mishakol129]

Ended up buying these a few days ago

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261002113983...ht_2864wt_1166

You may not have a valve cover leak but a crack in your exhaust manifold. My cylinder head had black soot on it exactly like your does in the picture and it was all because a crack in the ex manifold.

Take off your heat shield just to be sure, you'd see a crack in it like this:




Or you need to replace the exhaust manifold gasket b/c its leaking.



It could have been oil, i'm just explaining to you why I had black soot on my cylinder head like you do. It may not be oil but exhaust smoke that is causing that.

[wildcatloe]

You may not have a valve cover leak but a crack in your exhaust manifold. My cylinder head had black soot on it exactly like your does in the picture and it was all because a crack in the ex manifold.

Take off your heat shield just to be sure, you'd see a crack in it like this:




Or you need to replace the exhaust manifold gasket b/c its leaking.

Ill check it out thanks ........I plan on getting a new exhaust system do muffler shops sell and put on headers by any chance?

[Mishakol129]

Ill check it out thanks ........I plan on getting a new exhaust system do muffler shops sell and put on headers by any chance?

Don't know, wouldn't trust mechanics to get my parts for me. I got headers for 70 and a exhaust system for 127 from DNAmotoring

That's relatively cheap, but the quality is good enough.

Gonna install them myself. You'd be wise to as well (if you have the time) since mechanic labor is not cheap at all and can make you poor very quickly. Its really not difficult, I took mine off easily and i'm sure installation will be the same.

[wildcatloe]

Don't know, wouldn't trust mechanics to get my parts for me. I got headers for 70 and a exhaust system for 127 from DNAmotoring

That's relatively cheap, but the quality is good enough.

Gonna install them myself. You'd be wise to as well (if you have the time) since mechanic labor is not cheap at all and can make you poor very quickly. Its really not difficult, I took mine off easily and i'm sure installation will be the same.

Is that header a perfect fit? How long have you had on there? no welding has to be done right?

[Mishakol129]

Is that header a perfect fit? How long have you had on there? no welding has to be done right?

Thing is, I'm rebuilding my engine and never ever used the thing yet!
We'll see what the fitment is when and if I get it back together.
Its taking me longer than expected to put it back together because I cracked a piston and getting a new one has been a hassle. Napa ordered me what they said was "1" piston but when it finally came in the mail there was a pack of 4 and so said I have to buy all 4 - which I do not want. so what I did was order a single one from the dealer... Its just been a big waste of time.

[oyajicool]

Make sure three old pistons and one new one weigh the same.